| This thesis examines how the Mexican War touched the lives of women. Primarily, this work examines the role of American women; Mexican women are also studied, but to a lesser extent. Among the topics covered in this work are the wartime roles of women both in Mexico and on the homefront, and their political opinions and sentiments regarding the war. American women portrayed in these topical issues include officers' and soldiers' wives, mothers, and sisters, and company women, prostitutes, actresses, business women, and female combatants. Mexican women are also surveyed in a lengthy chapter. This thesis is more than a narrative of women's Mexican War experiences. Rather, it is an attempt to view women and the Mexican War in light of women's history. The "cult of true womanhood," the mid-nineteenth century ideal of female behavior, provides the framework for this thesis. The "cult of true womanhood," the mid-nineteenth century ideal of female behavior, provides the framework for this thesis. |
